Page 75 of Hate to Crave You
On her way to her chair at the head of the table, she paused by Julianna and her father, giving Julianna a quick hug and giving Charles an echo of the kiss she’d given Michael. “It’s good to see you, Charles,” she said in a warm voice.
By the time she’d got herself a cup of coffee, everybody was seated, although Roman’s father hadn’t lost the cynical, dour expression.
Roman slanted a sidelong look toward Julianna. She met his eyes at exactly the right moment and he wondered if she knew what he was thinking.
Things weren’t off to a great start.
At least not on the Montrose side of things.
* * *
“Let me just say in conclusion,”Moira said, her lips curving in a pleased smile. “This is one way our three families will cement their positions asthetop names when it comes to fine jewelry. We can do something great together, the three of us. If we can all work together.”
For a long, tense few moments, nobody spoke.
Charles went to open his mouth, but Michael cut him off. “There’s no way in hell I’ll ever work with a Castle,” he said, each word coming out sharp and edged, like he’d hacked them off with a blade. “This is just a fantasy, Moira. There’s no way your father would approve of this.”
“Oh, there’s a way,” Moira said, shaking her head. “You think I’d be here talking to you if I didn’t have a firm belief that he’d approve of it?”
Roman caught Julianna’s eyes at that statement, wondering.
Julianna had left him believing that Moira’s father would beopento the idea, but Moira made him think that as far as she was concerned, they were just waiting on the two families to agree.
Which wasn’t going to happen.
“As Isaid,” Michael said, rising from his seat. “There’s no way inhellI’ll work with a Castle. Come along, Roman. We’re done here.”
Roman remained in his seat, his eyes on Moira. “I believe I’ll stay and listen to what Moira has to say. I don’t believe she’s done.”
“If she needs the approval ofbothfamilies—”
“Michael, you’re a stubborn old goat. Would you stop thinking with your pride for a few minutes and sit your ass down?” Charles cut in, surprising everybody. He stood, a hand outstretched. “It’s time to let bygones be bygones. We’ve got a chance to do something amazing, as Moira said. For my part, I want to hear more of her proposal.”
“I’m a stubborn old goat?” Michael half-shouted, jabbing a thumb at his chest. His face had turned an alarming shade of red and a vein stood out near his temple. “Well, I’d rather be a stubborn old goat than a—”
He stopped abruptly, snapping his jaw shut with an audible click. With a vicious wave of his hand, he swept the room with an encompassing gaze. “I’ve no interest in being involved in this…partnership,” he said, a faint sneer in his voice.
“Perhaps you might want to hear about what lies behind door number two,” Moira said softly.
Michael canted his head, eyeing her with a questioning look.
Moira took a deep breath, then gave both Roman and Julianna a quick look. Julianna was the one to offer a subtle nod.
Roman leaned back in his chair, projecting a more casual air than he felt. Next to him, he could feel his father, all but vibrating with anger and he knew it was about to get worse.
Much worse.
“The other option is that Julianna, Roman and I explore this new avenue on our own. I’ve spoken with my father and brothers. It won’t be as easy,” Moira said, lifting one shoulder in a small shrug. “But we’re up for the challenge. Roman and Julianna have some capital to put forward, as do I. I’ve talked to my brothers who’ve agreed to be silent partners in exchange for a percentage of the profits in the coming years, and I believe my father will be open to the idea as well. If we can’t do this with the backing of Montrose Jewelers and Castle Jewels, then it will be an enterprise between Julianna, Roman and myself.”
“Over my dead body,” Michael said in a low, tight voice.
“I’ve already prepared my resignation, Dad,” Roman said, tapping a finger on the arm of the chair as his father turned to look at him. “And I’ve spoken with my banker about transferring the shares gifted to me by my grandparents when I graduated from college. Between those shares and the inheritance from my maternal grandmother’s estate, I’ll have the money needed to cover my share.”
“You’ll bankrupt yourself over this harebrained scheme!” Michael snarled.
“I don’t think so.” Allowing himself one small smile, Roman met his father’s eyes. “And I believe if you’re honest with yourself, you don’t think so either. In a few short years, this new enterprise will become a new, dominating name. In time, we’ll be a serious competitor. Is that what you want, Dad?”
Michael opened his mouth, then, without saying a single word, he closed it.
